International Maritime Law, LLM

Gain a Detailed Knowledge of Maritime Law

students studying together

Course Overview

The sea is vital to human existence – for commerce, navigation routes, and as a major source of natural resources. Legal expertise in the issues surrounding the law in these areas is always in demand. 

Our LLM in International Maritime Law will give you an in-depth understanding of the law concerning contracts for the carriage of goods, marine insurance, international trade and law of the sea.

Learning from experts with high level academic and practical experience, you will gain specialist knowledge and skills that are highly valued by employers, and open up a range of exciting career opportunities. 

Why International Maritime Law at Swansea?

As a postgraduate student at the Hillary Rodham Clinton School of Law, you will be part of a globally recognised law school, with a thriving academic environment committed to excellence in teaching and research, and offering an exceptional student experience.

  • The International Commercial Arbitration (LACM17) module offered as part of this degree has been recognised by the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb). This effectively means that LLM students who manage to successfully complete the International Commercial Arbitration module at Swansea will be eligible to apply to be awarded the level of Associate Member of the CIArb

  • Our maritime law programmes are ranked in the UK Top 10 (LLM Guide 2024)

  • 83.3% of our research produces considerable impact in terms of its reach and significance (REF 2021)

  • Law at Swansea is ranked in the Top 125 in the World (The Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2025)
  • Law at Swansea University is ranked in the Top 101-150 in the World (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025)

Your International Maritime Law experience

On this LLM degree you will gain the knowledge and experience to develop into a 21st century lawyer or legal service practitioner with specialist and in-depth understanding of international maritime law.

Our postgraduate law degrees give you the opportunity to learn from academics who are industry experts, with a wealth of academic and practical experience.

You will also learn through:

  • Guest lectures to give you insight into practice in the field
  • Mooting competitions
  • Summer schools abroad

International Maritime Law employment opportunities

Graduates of the LLM in International Maritime Law are well positioned for stimulating and rewarding career opportunities.

Improving your employability is a key priority for us, and we organise a range of events to help, including the annual LLM careers fair, which gives you the opportunity to meet local and international law firms, as well as networking events and visits to leading practices in the City of London.

Modules

As part of this degree students can study the following modules (you must take at least 2 of the modules in bold):

  • Admiralty Law, Charterparties: Law and Practice, Marine Insurance, Oil and Gas Law: Contracts and Liabilities, Carriage of Goods by Sea, Land and Air, Law of the Sea, International Trade Law, E-Commerce, International Commercial Arbitration, and Ship and Other Mobile Assets Finance Law.

As study on this LLM continues through the summer, students will be required to enrol on to a second academic year to submit their research projects.